New York Bronx Zoo Tickets

Discover wildlife in the heart of NYC - buy your tickets to the Bronx Zoo! Family adventures and animal encounters await you.

New York Bronx Zoo Tickets

More about: New York Bronx Zoo Tickets

Opened in 1899, the Bronx Zoo is the largest urban zoo in the United States. It is home to hundreds of animal species from different parts of the world, although a good number are native to North America.

Many of these creatures are endangered, so visiting the Bronx Zoo is a great way to get up close to them and learn about the importance of caring for nature.

It is therefore a perfect plan for a day out in New York, especially if you are travelling with your family and want to enjoy a day in the open air and escape the concrete jungle for a few hours. I'll tell you how to get tickets and lots more!

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Bronx Zoo Tickets

Discover the Bronx Zoo and its more than 10,000 animals

Explore the country's largest zoo with this ticket that gives you access to all exhibits, shows and rides. Get up close to lions, giraffes, hippos, gorillas and many more species in an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

If you fancy something different surrounded by nature in the heart of New York, a visit to the Bronx Zoo is one of the best options. With your ticket, you can explore this huge enclosure and discover more than 10,000 animals from every continent, from African big cats to the most amazing primates. Every corner of the zoo is designed to teach you about conservation and biodiversity while you enjoy an unforgettable day.

In addition to seeing animals, you'll have access to all the attractions and shows organised on the day of your visit. You can ride the Wild Asia Monorail to observe Asian species, stroll among butterflies in the Butterfly Garden or attend educational exhibits that will delight young and old alike. It's an ideal activity for families, couples or travellers who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a few hours.

Recommended if... you want to enjoy a unique experience in New York, combining entertainment and learning in a stunning natural setting.


How to get tickets to the Bronx Zoo? What types of tickets are available?

Species at the Bronx Zoo| ©Shinya Suzuki
Species at the Bronx Zoo| ©Shinya Suzuki

To go to the Bronx Zoo , you will need to purchase tickets online in advance, as the park requires visitors to choose a date and time for their visit. This step is important because if you show up at the zoo without having previously reserved the day and time when purchasing your tickets online, you will most likely not be allowed to enter.

That said, there are different types of tickets available for visiting the Bronx Zoo:

  • On the one hand, the Limited Admission ticket is the cheapest but only provides access to the park and some specific exhibits. However, some popular attractions such as "JungleWorld", "Congo Gorilla Forest", "Butterfly Garden" and "Wild Asia Monorail" are not included.
  • On the other hand, the Bronx Zoo Admission ticket costs a little more than the previous one but gives you all-inclusive, unlimited access to all the attractions available on the day of your visit. This type of ticket is well worth it because it allows you to see the coolest attractions at the zoo, including those that have won several awards.
  • Tickets for individual attractions are available from £5 per person, but it is more economical to purchase the "Bronx Zoo Admission" ticket if you want to see them all, as it comes with unlimited access.

For detailed information on Bronx Zoo ticket prices, discounted rates, and free admission, I recommend reading the post Bronx Zoo Ticket Prices. It will definitely help you plan your budget for the visit!

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And to enjoy the Bronx Zoo's Holiday Lights Festival?

Zoo admission| ©Shinya Suzuki
Zoo admission| ©Shinya Suzuki

Every year from 19 November to 9 January, the Bronx Zoo hosts the Holiday Lights Festival, a beautiful outdoor event for the whole family, full of light and colour, where the stars of the show are huge animal-shaped lamps placed throughout the park.

If you're in New York around that time, don't miss it, especially if you're travelling with your family, as it's something special that's well worth seeing and will delight the little ones.

To enjoy this fun show, you'll need to purchase your tickets for the Holiday Lights Festival online and in advance, as you won't be able to access this event with any other zoo ticket.

If you want to learn more about this charming light festival that has become a Christmas tradition in New York, don't miss our post on the Christmas lights at the Bronx Zoo in New York, where we cover everything you need to know about this fun attraction.

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Are tickets to the Bronx Zoo included in any tourist cards?

Are tickets to the Bronx Zoo included in any tourist cards?

New York Sightseeing Flex Pass| ©Hellotickets
New York Sightseeing Flex Pass| ©Hellotickets

You may be thinking about purchasing one of the New York tourist cards to get the most out of your trip. With the New York Sightseeing Flex Pass (from £50 at Hellotickets) , you get a visit to the Bronx Zoo with "Limited Admission" and you can also choose up to 12 tourist attractions to visit at your own pace within 30 days of activation.

I especially recommend getting this tourist pass if you are going to New York with your family and have planned activities for the children, so that they can also enjoy the city in their own way and make plans that are more suited to their age and tastes.

The reason is that the New York Sightseeing Flex Pass allows you to visit places such as the New York Aquarium, the Central Park Zoo, the New York Botanical Garden, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden and the Bronx Zoo, among others.

In addition, the pass offers discounts at a variety of restaurants, entertainment and leisure venues, allowing you to get even more out of the city. Something that never hurts!

In addition to the park, with the tourist card you will have the opportunity to see some very cool exhibits such as World of Birds, Sea Lion Pool, and Reptile House, among many others. However, you may have to pay extra to see certain special attractions within the zoo.

Book the New York Sightseeing Flex Pass

Is it advisable to go to the Bronx Zoo with children?

Children in the Fish section of the Bronx Zoo| ©Leonard Nevarez
Children in the Fish section of the Bronx Zoo| ©Leonard Nevarez

Without a doubt! This is one of the coolest activities you can do as a family during your stay in New York. They'll have a great time seeing so many animals up close, and it will be one of their childhood memories they'll never forget.

In fact, the Bronx Zoo has an area called The Children's Zoo where kids can see many wild animals up close for the first time, such as the American porcupine, the sloth and the giant anteater. And best of all, they can feed and pet the friendly animals in the petting zoo! It will be an experience they will remember for a lifetime.

So don't hesitate, a trip to the Bronx Zoo is a unique opportunity for kids to enjoy New York in a different way, get close to nature, see lots of beautiful animals and learn about the importance of caring for the environment, as many of the creatures they will encounter here are endangered or threatened with extinction in the wild.

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How much time do you need to visit the Bronx Zoo?

Tourists on the zoo promenade| ©Shinya Suzuki
Tourists on the zoo promenade| ©Shinya Suzuki

Visits to the Bronx Zoo usually last 2 to 3 hours, but if you want to see everything, you'll need at least half a day. After all, it is the largest urban zoo in the United States!

There is a lot to see here, and the good thing is that there is no time limit for staying. You can spend a good time looking at the different exhibits, sitting on a bench to enjoy the sun, and even have a small picnic inside the zoo or eat at any of its restaurants. Whatever you feel like!

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When is the zoo open?

A group of flamingos| ©Terry Ballard
A group of flamingos| ©Terry Ballard

The Bronx Zoo is open Monday through Sunday at 10 a.m. and, depending on the season, may close at 4:30 p.m. (during the cold season) or 5:30 p.m. (during the warm season).

The only days on the calendar when the zoo is closed are Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day, and Martin Luther King Day. Keep this in mind when planning your trip, so you don't find the gates closed!

Before you go, I recommend checking out the Bronx Zoo Hours post to plan your visit. I'm sure it will be helpful!

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What should you not miss at the Bronx Zoo?

Rhinos at the Bronx Zoo| ©Shinya Suzuki
Rhinos at the Bronx Zoo| ©Shinya Suzuki

The main thing you can't miss at the Bronx Zoo are the animal exhibits. There are over 700 different species brought from all corners of the planet! Seeing them interact and play with each other is a very exciting part of the visit.

Another sensational moment to experience at the zoo is when the keepers feed the animals, such as penguins or sea lions. I recommend checking out the park's website to see what activities are planned for the day of your visit so you don't miss out. They're really interesting!

At The Children's Zoo, kids can feed and pet various farm animals such as donkeys, alpacas, sheep, goats and prairie dogs. It will be an experience they will never forget.

And to round off a day full of fun, children can also ride the insect carousel or play on the bridges and walkways of Nature Trek.

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Some useful tips for visiting the Bronx Zoo

Sea Lion at the Bronx Zoo| ©Michael Gray
Sea Lion at the Bronx Zoo| ©Michael Gray
  • Remember to book your tickets online and in advance for the Bronx Zoo. All visitors must have a ticket with a specific date and time for their visit.
  • Download the zoo map to your mobile phone or print it out so you can easily find your way around.
  • When you arrive at the Bronx Zoo, check the park's website on your mobile phone to see all the exhibits and services available on the day of your visit.
  • Feeding the animals at the zoois not allowed. It can be dangerous for them and for you!
  • You may not touch the plants, flowers or trees in the zoo.
  • Wear comfortable clothing appropriate for the weather when you visit the zoo. Dress warmly in winter and protect yourself from the sun in summer.
  • Wear comfortable shoes for walking around the Bronx Zoo. It is the largest urban zoo in the United States and covers 107 hectares. You don't want your feet to hurt at the end of the visit!
  • You can bring a snack in your backpack to eat inside the zoo or have a picnic in the designated picnic areas.
  • There are water fountains inside the zoo, but don't forget to bring your own bottle in your backpack just in case.

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How to get to the Bronx Zoo?

New York City Subway| ©Malvina Battiston
New York City Subway| ©Malvina Battiston

The Bronx Zoo is not located in a very central area, so the best way to get there is by public transport.

I recommend taking subway lines 2 or 5 to E. 180th St. or taking the BxM11 express bus from Manhattan and getting off at the zoo entrance on Bronx River. Here is a practical guide to using the New York subway to help you find your way around underground.

Other alternatives to consider, especially if you are travelling with young children, are taxis or Uber. For door-to-door service, this is very convenient, especially if you are travelling with a pushchair.

Buy tickets for the Bronx Zoo with transfers

Where to eat at the Bronx Zoo?

Entrance to the Dancing Crane Café| ©Shinya Suzuki
Entrance to the Dancing Crane Café| ©Shinya Suzuki

A visit to the Bronx Zoo can last several hours, so you may find yourself feeling hungry at some point during your trip. When that happens, it's time to take a break and eat something to recharge your batteries!

You can bring some snacks in your backpack for a picnic to satisfy your hunger. The Bronx Zoo has picnic areas where you can grab a bite to eat and rest for a while.

However, this zoo is also full of restaurants where you can stop for lunch during your visit. If you forget your snacks, they are a good alternative so you don't have to rush out early looking for a place to eat. This is especially important if you are with children who cannot skip their meal times.

Some of the restaurants and food stalls at the Bronx Zoo where you can stop for lunch are:

  • Dancing Crane Café
  • The Patio
  • Pecking Order
  • Asia Cafe
  • Somba Village
  • Zoo Bites
  • Zoo Brews

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Reviews from other travellers

4.7
· 2830 Reviews
  • J
    J. S.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    Easy to arrange. Enjoyable day out.
  • I
    I. Y.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    The visit to the zoo was amazing, but they would improve the experience with more public transport options nearby.
  • B
    B. H.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    Visiting the zoo was an amazing experience, and the private transfer service made everything much more comfortable and personalised.
  • K
    K. R.
    4
    (0 Reviews)
    I loved visiting this place with my family; we saw amazing animals. It was an unforgettable adventure in New York.
  • J
    J. Y.
    5
    (0 Reviews)
    I loved the zoo, the animals were super cool and the trip was easy. Very fun everything, I recommend full.